TO many people Don Giovanni is Mozart’s finest opera. It’s certainly his most intense, mischievous and in many aspects, darkest work.

Classical buffs can decided for themselves when the famous opera is screened live outside the Forum in Southend on Thursday.

There will be no need to traipse up to the Royal Opera House in London - or even part with a penny - as the ROH performance will be beamed live to audiences in Southend.

Everyone is invited to bring a blanket, pack a picnic and head to one of the free event as part of the Royal Opera House’s dazzling summer programme at The Forum.

Mozart’s tragi-comedy Don Giovanni follows the story of the seductive and swaggering anti-hero Giovanni as his womanising way lead him to murder the father of one of his victims – with devastating results.

Mozart wrote the opera in 1787, just four years before his death at the age of 35. Legend has it, he penned the haunting overture to the work the night before the premiere, after an evening out drinking with friends.

The opera was Mozart’s landmark collaborations with librettist Lorenzo da Ponte (after The Marriage of Figaro and before Così fan tutte). Don Giovanni has always occupied an exceptional position due to its dark attitude and themes of revenge and deception.

Don Giovanni will be screened on Thursday July 12 at 7pm at The Forum in Elmer Square, Southend. Pre-screenings start at 6.30pm.